Allow MACC to do its work to allay public distrust, says commission’s panel

Public distrust over recent developments related to 1MDB can only be dispelled if the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is allowed to perform its duties independently, says MACC's consultation and prevention panel chairman Tan Sri Johan Jaafar. – The Malaysian Insider pic, August 6, 2015.The current atmosphere of public distrust over recent developments related to 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) can only be dispelled if the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission (MACC) is allowed to perform its duties independently, said one of its external oversight panels.

In expressing his dismay over the spate of raids and arrests by the police against the anti-graft commission officials as part of the probe into leaked information on 1MDB investigations, MACC's consultation and prevention panel chairman Tan Sri Johan Jaafar reiterated the need for the agency to be allowed to execute its duties unhindered.

In a statement today, he said MACC should be allowed to fulfil its obligations as stated under the MACC Act 2009, in an independent, transparent and professional manner.

"The current atmosphere of distrust and cynicism by the public could only be dispelled by allowing MACC to perform its duties without fear and favour.

"The public perception that the investigators are now being investigated must be addressed at all cost.

"The panel is in the opinion that all parties entrusted to conduct the investigation must work hand in hand to find the truth," said Johan, who is also the independent non-executive chairman of Media Prima Berhad.

Seven MACC officials have beene picked up for questioning since last weekend, as police focussed on leaked information on 1MDB, which is at the centre of an investigation over alleged financial irregularities.

The police action followed The Wall Street Journal's (WSJ) report last month citing documents from Malaysian investigators which showed that US$700 million (RM2.6 billion) had been deposited in Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak's personal bank accounts.

Najib has denied taking 1MDB funds for personal use, but never directly addressed the fund transfers.

On Monday, MACC confirmed the existence of the huge sum, but said it came from a donor from the Middle East, and not from 1MDB.

MACC did not reveal the identity of the donor, but said it would ask Najib to provide an explanation of the donation.

Earlier today, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Datuk Paul Low had criticised the police for acting in a high-handed manner in their raids and arrests of MACC officers.

Low, who is in charge of governance and integrity, had said such action would impact negatively on the country, both locally and abroad.

"The police are showing high-handedness in handling this issue.

"It is important that this institution (MACC) do what they need to do, because the people are expecting the probe to be completed to a satisfactory conclusion.

"Secondly, even the international community is watching us to see how cases like these are being handled, and whether it is able to carry out its task in accordance with the mandate given to them," he had said at an event in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

Later, in a separate statement, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said police have no intention of interfering in the duties and responsibilities of the MACC, but were merely doing their job.

Khalid also denied police were pressured to take action against MACC officers nor were they acting under instructions from anyone.

"We are clear in the direction of our investigations where official government and banking documents were leaked, and manipulated by certain quarters to destabilise the country," Khalid said in the statement.

The IGP added that the public must realise that each government agency has its own tasks and responsibilities in carrying out investigations and pointed out that the end result is for everyone to uncover the truth.

"On this principle, police will never disrupt the investigations of another agency which could affect the relations of the agencies involved," he said.

He reminded all quarters not to issue statements which can be seen as opportunistic.

"Give space and opportunity for all agencies involved to carry out their tasks without interference from those with personal interests or ulterior agendas," Khalid added.

- TMI